Question

Of the following options, what could be a possible first step in solving the equation −7x − 5 = x + 3?

Adding 7x to both sides of the equation
Subtracting 5 from both sides of the equation
Adding x to both sides of the equation
Combining like terms, −7x + x = − 6x

Answer 1

add 7x to both of the sides

Answer 2

Adding 7x to both sides makes the most sense. It would cancel out with the -7x, leaving you with -5 = 8x + 3.

Subtracting 5 from both sides wouldn't cancel anything out, adding x to both sides wouldn't cancel anything out, and you can't combine like terms on either side of the equation.